Most people I know are against violence: physical attacks, murder, rape, emotional abuse, the “isms”…. Some are against war, the death penalty, cruelty to animals, destroying the earth….
But the absence of violence leaves a void. So this past month I’ve been sitting with the question, “What am I for (not against)?
I was hampered by my ”shoulds”. I should be an activist. I should be heading up projects. I should be “out there” making a difference.. But the longer I sat with the question, this is what came to me.
What I want to focus on and help create:
Efforts to connect people/kids to nature.
Efforts to connect people to themselves.
Self-expression and creativity in the arts and music.
The ability to see and relate to a person as who they are beyond stereotypes, preconceived notions and biases.
I need to accept who I am vs. who & how I think I should be. Mine to do on this planet will not solve all the injustices and serious problems and I’m learning it can’t and doesn’t have to. We are in this together. One more step on the journey.
So, what do you want to create? What are you for?
I. Love. This!
This is so real, so authentic. You really hit home with me and my “shoulds” also – very similar to yours. And I love that you speak so clearly to, ‘what do we want instead’ (of what we don’t want)?
Dearest, l love you. I have been asking myself and others that same question. I remind myself that when Mother Theresa was requested to join the protest war movement she refused. She told them to come back to her when they could had something they wanted her stand for and support. I’ve never been able to visualize peace in the world. I promote peace from a perspective of harmony which I can see even when there is destruction and both taking place at the same time. This does not resolve the internal nor external conflicts. The ends I see being sought most of the time do not justify the means being used .
Ultimately we are individually and collectively responsible for everything we as humans do and this reality is too much of a burden for most to acknowledge and bear. So we desensitize and numb ourselves with drugs to make reality bearable.
Yes. I like your perspective of harmony which embraces the principle of paradox. Free will is a responsibility each of us must own
Beautifully articulated, Barbara. As I look at all that is wrong with the world, it is easy to feel completely ineffectual. Yet as I age, I am coming to an awareness that it is how I am BEING around myself and others that can make a positive difference. One-on-one. Heroics not required.
I am of this mind too, Debbie.
Each step as I walk through my days.
I Am within me is creating peace within me.I Am is for every Being realizing and using her or his own power lovingly. I understand that peace must begin within and it is a power that can inspire more peace or provoke its opposite. Freedom of will is the tipping point Power over is the enemy of peace. Love is the answer I love you. Thank you for this rich insight and the questions
I am for connection.
Connection with myself, with nature, with the animals around me, and with a few people around me. I’m mastering doing less than I can do. I love this way of life. Doing more than I could do, in my former life, felt violent. Thank you, Barbara. I am always grateful to you and Joseph and all I learn from connecting with you.
destruction and birth taking place.
Peace within myself will translate to how I see and interact with the world, parts of the world I can connect with and parts I judge and avoid. I want to be a lifelong learner and that means I must be open to what’s around me. BTW, I did watch the Super Bowl and it was a great game, sans celebrity drama.